Measuring and mixing device



May 12, 1964 J. M. TRUBY MEASURING AND MIXING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 29, 1961 FIG. I

INVENTOR. JOHN M. TRU BY ATTORNEYS y 12, 1964 J. M. TRUBY 3,132,771

MEASURING AND MIXING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29, 1961 1- 22 L 28 so 44 j 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Y so as i I 1 4 4i s2 F|G.6

INVENTOR. 4 4 JOHN M. TRUBY ATTORNEYS 3,132,771 MEASURING AND MEXINGDEVICE Iohn M. Truby, 36220 Tirnherlane Drive, Solon, Ohio Fiied Nov.29, 1961, Ser. No. 155,625 8 Claims. ((31. 222--145) This inventionconcerns a device for mixing measured amounts of fluid materials and isadapted particularly for use in the mixing or dissolving of a specificquantity of one or more solutes into a specific quantity of compatiblesolvents and automatically funneling the resulting solution into adesired container.

In its broadest sense the device compreses a reservoir, a controlledflow passageway in communication with the reservoir adjacent the bottomthereof, and a receptacle having a buoyant bottom portion pivotallysuspended in a normal material-retaining position within the reservoirin such a manner that when the reservoir is filled with fluid materialthe receptacle is pivotally displaced thereby to dispense fluid materialfrom the receptacle into the fluid material in the reservoir from whichthe mixed fluid materials may be dispensed through the passageway.Suitable means, such as a siphon tube, provides the controlled flow offluid materials from the reservoir.

A device manufactured according to the principles of this inventionfinds use in the mixing of correct gasolineto-oil ratios for two cycleengines, diluting household laundry bleach prior to adding the same towash water; diluting fabric finishes, mothproofing preparations, bluingand soap strippers; diluting harmful liquids prior to their admission tobaths, such as in metal cleaning, plating, etc.; and in the measuringand mixing of two or more fluid materials where the end solution isextremely unstable, as in photo-processing.

The use of the word fluid in this description is intended to includegranular materials which will flow when poured, as well as liquidmaterials.

The mixing device of this invention includes a pivoted inner receptableof a specific size which is filled with a first material to be mixed. Asecond material of the mixture then is introduced into the reservoir andas the fluid level in the reservoir rises, the buoyant portion of thereceptacle causes the bottom to float, thus pivoting the receptacle andupsetting it around the pivot approximately 135 At this point a latchingdevice engages the receptacle and maintains it in an upset positionthroughout the remainder of the cycle so as to empty the receptaclecompletely and assure proper mixing of the materials. As the fluid levelin the reservoir reaches a predetermined point above the upsetreceptacle, the siphon tube becomes completely submerged and the siphonaction is initiated automatically and continued until all of the mixedfluid material has been siphoned out of the reservoir. The receptaclethen is unlatched and reset in fluid material-retaining position and thedevice is ready for mixing another batch of exactly the same proportionsof materials.

- The idea of providing fluid material mixing and meas tiring devices isnot new. Many elaborate structures for this purpose have been proposedand used, particularly in chemical laboratories. luting device hasgained wide acceptance, however, because of the complicated, unwieldynature of the devices heretofore proposed.

A device constructed according to the principles of this invention iscapable of versatile home use. For instance, in the operation oftwo-cycle internal combustion engines, such as will be found on manyhome lawn mowers, it is necessary to add oil to the gasoline in verycritical ratios if one is to get optimum performance from the engine.The life and performance of the engine can be impaired greatly as aresult of incorrect ratios and stale mixtures.

No one form of mixing and di- United States Patent Thus, using theconvenient mixing device of this invention, a simple and accurate methodof mixing and measuring the proper ratio of gasoline and oil is providedin a device which funnels the mixture directly into the gas chamber.Used in this manner, the messy oil measuring cup is eliminated and thegas and oil may be mixed conveniently immediately prior to use. Thepossibility of motor damage due to changing fuel ratios by gasolineevaporation and oil and gasoline separation by settling is eliminated.Settling is a particular problem in providing fuel for two-cycle enginesof lawn mowers and outboard motors, since, normally, is is notconvenient to take these engines directly to a service station and theymust be filled from portable gasoline cans. Oil being approximately 20percent heavier than gasoline usually will sink to the bottom of agasoline can either when poured directly into the gasoline withoutproper mixing or when stored for a period of time. Thus, the use of adevice constructed according to the principles of this invention willprovide a consistent and constant ratio of oil to gas for use in twocycle engines, and thereby prevent the improper performance of theengine.

With the foregoing discussion in mind, it is a general object of theinvention to provide an improved device useful in measuring and mixingfluid materials.

It is a further object to provide an apparatus for measuring and mixingone or more solutes into a compatible solvent and tunneling the endsolution into the desired container.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an accurate andautomatic means of measuring and mixingfluid materials, such as oil andgasoline for two-cycle engines in the home.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description to follow.

In the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numeralsthroughout the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cross-section illustrating a deviceconstructed according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, withcertain of the parts shown in full for clars;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating themixing device just after completion of the reservoir filling;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the mixing device of FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross-section of an alternative receptacle designedfor use in the mixing device;

FIG. 7 is a view in cross-section of still another alternativereceptacle for use in the mixing device.

The mixing device is designated generally by the numeral 10 andcomprises a reservoir 20, a receptacle 30, a controlled flow passagewayor siphon tube 40, and a latching mechanism 50. The illustrated devicemay be constructed of either metal or plastic, or a combination thereof.A particular advantage in manufacture of the devce with a plasticmaterial is that transparent plastics commercially available may be usedto simplify greatly the filling operation by increasing the visibilityof the fluid materials during pouring, thus preventing, to a largedegree, the risk of inadvertent spilling during pouring.

The reservoir 20 is shown as being generally funnelshaped with a flaredsplash shield 22 around its top edge. The area of the reservoir 20 inhorizontal cross-section is as small as possible in order to minimizeany overfilling errors since as this area increases so increases thevolume per inch of height of fluid in the reservoir. Thus, filling thereservoir to a level other than at the fluid level The inner receptacle30 is divided into two portions,

a top fluid material-retaining portion 32 of precise volume determinedby the desired ratio and quantity of mixed fluid materials to beproduced and a buoyant bottom portion 34. If the device is for use witha two-cycle engine with a fuel tank having a capacity of 40 fluidounces, for instance, the proper ratio of gasoline to oil isapproximately 16 to 1. The fluid retaining portion 32 of receptacle 30then may be made to hold 1 /8 fluid ounces and the reservoir made tohold 30 fluid ounces, plus the amount of fluid which would be displacedby all of the inner components; i.e. the receptacle 39, the latch means59, and the portion of the tube 40 within the reservoir. The bottomsection 34 of the receptacle 30 is a sealed air pocket which providesbuoyancy for the lower end of the receptacle. Of course, it should berealized that in place of the air pocket 34, materials inherentlybuoyant might be attached to the bottom of the receptacle, if sodesired, to perform the function of buoying up the bottom end as thereservoir is filled.

The receptacle 30 is pivoted slightly above its center of gravity abouta shaft 35 which is suitably secured to the wall of the reservoir bymeans of headed bushings and washers generally designated 38. The endsof the shaft 36 may be peened over or bonded in place on the reservoirsince it need not rotate. It is clear that many arrangements forpivoting the receptacle can be used and the illustrated shaft andbushing arrangement is merely by way of example.

The controlled-flow passageway or siphon tube li) is arranged such thatone end 4 2 is positioned adjacent the bottom of the reservoir 26 and abight portion 44 of the tube extends above the receptacle to a pointjust short of the fluid level line 28 on the reservoir 2%. The other endof the tube 4-6 projects through the reservoir opening 24 in sealingengagement therewith and into the exterior protective portion 26. 'Bythus disposing the tube 41 relative to the receptacle 3d and reservoir2% a siphoning action will begin when the fluid level reaches a pointabove the bight 44 and continue until the reservoir is drainedsubstantially completely.-

It is desirable in some instances to use the device in automatic systemsand to replace the siphon tube with a power operated valve at the bottomof the apparatus. The valve in this instance is operated by a floatswitch which closes a supply line valve and thereby stops the flow offluid from a supply source to the reservoir. Also, a valve may beinstalled on the discharge end of the siphon tube to permit the solutionto be dis: charged only when needed.

Control of the rate of flow of the mixed fluid materials is provided byusing smaller diameter siphon tubes to slow the siphoning action andlarger diameter tubes to speed it up. it has been found advisable to useas large a tube as possible in the device since greater swirling actionand eddies are created thereby which greatly facilitate the completemixing of the fluids during the siphoning cycle.

The latch mechanism 543 includes a magnet mounted on the side of thereservoir wall positioned so that the receptacle in pivoting due to thebuoyant action of the air pocket 34 just clears the magnet except for ametal flange portion 52 disposed on the outside of the bottom of thereceptacle. This flange portion is positioned so that upon rotation ofthe receptacle through approximately in either direction, the flange isengaged with and thereby secured to the magnet to retain the receptaclein inverted fluid-dispensing position. While retained in this positionthe fluid materials mix and are siphoned from the reservoirsimultaneously. This arrangement results in excellent dispersing of thereceptacle contents through through the contents of the reservoir.

Dispersant characteristics of the device were checked visually in thefollowing manner and found to be excellent. Two 1,000 ml. graduates wereused, one being filled with a completely agitated and dispersed mixtureof 30 fluid ounces of gasoline and 1% fluid ounces of oil. Theprotective portion 26 was placed in the other graduate and thereceptacle filled with 1% fluid ounces of oil and then the outerreservoir filled with 30 fluid ounces of gasoline. The solution from themixing device both as it entered the empty graduate and when thegraduate was filled was observed to be of uniform color throughout thesiphoning cycle and of the same color as the completely agitated anddispensed mixture in the first graduate. Also observed was a completeabsence of undissolved globules of oil, showing that the oil which is 20percent heavier than the gasoline was mixed thoroughly and dispersedthroughout the gasoline.

it will be noted that the receptacle may be so constructed as to upsetin one direction only by providing the portion 32 with a slanted bottomas shown in FIG. 6. Another method of insuring upsetting in only onedirection is to move the pivot point on the receptacle 30 ofl-center togive the receptacle a slight bias in one direction. In these cases afilling line is provided in the receptacle at the proper angle on'theinner surface (not shown) to prevent the biased receptacle from spillingprematurely. An advantage of providing for upsetting.

in a predetermined direction is that it simplifies the latchingmechanism.

Another receptacle which has been tried and found satisfactory, andwhich eliminates the need for a latching mechanism, involves a slidingweight on the inner container in the air pocket 34. 'When the receptacleis upset the weight slides to the top of the air pocket causing it, tobe top-heavy and thereby remain inverted throughout the siphoning cycle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a receptacle which may be used when two fluidmaterials are to be held separately for mixture with a third fluid inthe reservoir. As will be seen a flange means. 52 also is incorporatedinthis receptacle design to provide for displacement and latching of thereceptacle in either direction around the pivot point.

When using the apparatus for dissolving granular solids in a compatiblesolvent, a fine mesh screen installed just above the partition of thereceptacle greatly aids the dissolving action in that the solvent isbetter distributed around the grains, and few if any of the grains stickto the receptacle.

In constructing the device according to the principles of thisinvention, the general arrangement of parts may be variedfrom thatillustrated. However, the placing of the siphon tube against the side ofthe reservoir greatly simplifies construction and hinging of thereeptacle. Furthermore, it has been found desirable to have thedischarge end of the siphon tube exit as nearly as possible to thecenter of the protective portion 26 of the structure. Forming the tubein the illustrated shape accomplishes both of these advantages.

For ease of description, the principles of the invention have been setforth in connection with but a single illustrated embodiment showing apreferred form of the mixing device. It is not my intention that theillustrated embodiment nor the terminology employed in describingit belimiting inasmuch as variations in these may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Rather, I desire to be restricted onlyby the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a reservoir, acontrolled flow passageway in communication with said reservoir adjacentthe bottom thereof, and a receptacle having a buoyant bottom portionpivotally suspended for free rotation in normal fluid material retainingposition within said reservoir, whereby filling said reservoir withliquid material pivotally displaces the receptacle thereby to dispenseand mix substantially all of the fluid material from the receptacle intothe liquid material in the reservoir from which the mixed fluidmaterials may be dispensed through said passageway.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said controlled flow passageway is asiphon.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said buoyant bottom portion is an airpocket.

4. The device of claim 1 in which latching means for retaining thereceptacle in upset position are provided.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said latching means is magnetic.

6. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid materialreservoir, a siphon passageway having one end within said reservoiradjacent the reservoir bottom, another end extending through saidbottom, and an intermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent thetop thereof, a receptacle having a buoyant lower portion pivotallysuspended for free rotation above its center of gravity in normal fluidretaining position within said reservoir, and latching means forretaining the receptacle in upset position.

7. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid materialreservoir, a siphon passageway having one end within said reservoiradjacent the reservoir bottom, another end extending through saidbottom, and an intermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent thetop thereof, a receptacle having a buoyant lower portion pivotallysuspended for free rotation above its center of gravity in normal fluidretaining position within said reservoir, latching means for retainingthe receptacle in upset position, whereby filling said reservoir withliquid material to a level above the siphon tube pivotally displaces thereceptacle into secured engagement with the latching means thereby todispense and mix substantially all of the fluid material from thereceptacle into the liquid material in the reservoir and automaticallysiphons the mixed fluids from said reservoir.

8. A device for mixing fluid materials comprising a liquid reservoir, asiphon passageway having one end within said reservoir adjacent thereservoir bottom, another end extending through said bottom, and anintermediate portion within said reservoir adjacent the top thereof, areceptacle pivotally suspended for free rotation slightly above itscenter of gravity in normal fluid material retaining position withinsaid reservoir, said receptacle having a ferromagnetic portion and anair pocket adjacent its lower end, magnetic latching means in thepivotal path of said ferromagnetic portion spaced above said pivot pointfor retaining the receptacle in upset position, whereby filling saidliquid reservoir with fluid material to a level above the siphon tubepivotally displaces the receptacle into secured engagement with thelatching means thereby to mix substantially all of the fluid materialfrom the receptacle with liquid material in the reservoir andautomatically to siphon the mixed fluids from said displaced receptacleand said reservoir.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS915,629 Shipp et al. Mar. 16, 1909 2,328,005 Green Aug. 31, 19432,644,167 Gordon July 7, 1953 2,991,911 Spain July 11, 1961

1. A DEVICE FOR MIXING FLUID MATERIALS COMPRISING A RESERVOIR, ACONTROLLED FLOW PASSAGEWAY IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RESERVOIR ADJACENTTHE BOTTOM THEREOF, AND A RECEPTACLE HAVING A BUOYANT BOTTOM PORTIONPIVOTALLY SUSPENDED FOR FREE ROTATION IN NORMAL FLUID MATERIAL RETAININGPOSITION WITHIN SAID RESERVOIR, WHEREBY FILLING SAID RESERVOIR WITHLIQUID MATERIAL PIVOTALLY DISPLACES THE RECEPTACLE THEREBY TO DISPENSEAND MIX SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE FLUID MATERIAL FROM THE RECEPTACLE INTOTHE LIQUID MATERIAL IN THE RESERVOIR FROM WHICH THE MIXED FLUIDMATERIALS MAY BE DISPENSED THROUGH SAID PASSAGEWAY.